Clarke for Transport
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THE PRIME Minister has, no doubt, already drafted her cabinet re-shuffle. Hopefully, she will take a serious look at her transport team. For too long transport has been treated as the Cinderella of Westminster — a change in attitude to, and assessment of, the post is essential.
There is speculation that John Selwyn Gummer will be deposed as Tory party Chairman and could replace Nicholas Ridley at Transport. We hope not.
It has also been suggested that the energetic Lynda Chalker could be promoted to the top spot. All that would do would to be to weaken the structure and leave a great gap to be filled.
Our nomination for this most important post is the former under secretary, Kenneth Clarke. He has walked in Norman Fowler's shadow far too long.
Mr Clarke is a natural for the post. His experience is wide ranging. He does not lack energy and his performance at the Dispatch Box is both confident and persuasive.
The Prime Minister may even consider enhancing the title and broadening the scope. Why not the Minister of Transport and Communications? He would cope with the task with vigour and enthusiasm. His team would need to be strengthened, but with people like Peter Fry and Denshore Dover standing in the wings there is no shortage of talent available.
Whatever Mrs Thatcher decides, we implore her not to put a cast-off into Marsham Street.